Disclaimers: 'Rainbow Brite' is property of Hallmark Properties respectfully. The song 'Rainbow Connection' was written and conceived by Paul Williams and Kenneth L. Ascher and therefore does not belong to me.
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The Rainbow Connection
By Charles Xavier
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Chapter Two
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"Daniel, what are you thinking about?"
The boy sat silently on his cushion, away from the box of toys, ignoring everything she asked him. Miss Harker removed her glasses and lowered her note pad.
"Is there something bothering you?" she tried again. Daniel was in no mood to speak. All he wanted was to be left alone. "Don't you want to talk about it?"
He shook his head.
"Now Daniel, we've been seeing each other for the past nine months. Even though you've hardly spoken to me, I've gotten to know a lot more about you than you might imagine. I think you do want to talk to me, but you won't let yourself." Daniel buried his face between his legs, trying not to listen. "Don't forget, I'm your friend. And as your friend, I would never do anything to make you sad or angry. I want to help you to face your troubles and find your way out of them. But I'm afraid we won't get anywhere if you don't tell me what's been going on in your class."
Daniel Kennedy refused to budge and remained silent. But Miss Harker knew what was troubling the boy. Loneliness was a common symptom of neglect.
…
"Ah, Miss Harker. It's so nice to see you again."
"It's nice to see you too, Mrs. Kennedy." Miss Harker, said shaking hands with her. "How was your Christmas vacation?"
"Not too great, to be honest." she said, her smile fading. "You might have heard in the news, that there were quite a few storms. We weren't able to do much as we had planned."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Well, it can't be helped. This has been an unpleasant year, you know. So much has happened - " Before she could continue, something caught Mrs. Kennedy's eye . "Oh, honey! You've made it here at last! This is the wonderful woman who's been counseling our dear son, Daniel."
Mr. Kennedy smiled and greeted Miss Harker with a handshake. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss…"
"Harker. Dr. Alice Harker. Mount View's Child Psychologist."
"My wife has told me all about you. She tells me you're excellent at handling the kids around here." Mr Kennedy said, finally letting go of her hand.
"Thank you. I was just speaking to Mrs. Kennedy about your Christmas in Alaska."
"Oh, that. The important thing is that we survived. Isn't that right, dear?"
"Yes, it is." Mrs. Kennedy agreed. "Miss Harker, may I ask how Daniel is doing?"
Alice looked into their worried faces and cleared her throat: "Well… Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy. I feel Daniel needs more time to overcome his problems. He hasn't made much progress since we last talked. This has turned out to be a little tougher than I expected."
"Will he be alright?"
"In my experience, this isn't too uncommon for kids of Daniel's age. He seems to be isolating himself from his class mates, mainly because he is afraid that others might hurt him. He's a sensitive and shy boy, but he needs to try and open up more to those around him… Please remember that he's a growing child. Children's minds are at the early stage of development, and they're bound to have some sort of difficulties. In a couple years, hopefully we'll see some changes for the better… It's alright, Daniel. You can come in now." Alice said, noticing Daniel's shadow under the door. The small boy stepped timidly into her office. "Your parents and I have just been talking. And everything's going to be just fine, just like I promised you."
"Thank you so much for helping our Daniel," Mrs Kennedy said, "I wish there were more people like you."
"It's my pleasure, Mrs. Kennedy. Have a nice week."
…
After another exhausting day at the school, Alice was relieved to be leaving.
"Goodbye, Miss Harker!" A pair of girls waved at her before getting on a bus.
"See you, girls!"
"Hey, Miss Harker!" A boy rode past her on a skateboard. "Catch you later!"
"Don't get into any mischief, Alan!" She teased.
"Miss Harker, I made these for you." A six year old girl walked over and presented her with a nicely wrapped bundle of purple orchids.
"Oh, my. You shouldn't have." Alice looked surprised. "Thank you, Sherry. These are absolutely gorgeous."
"They're from my mommy's flower shop."
"Tell your mother that I'm delighted with your gift, will you?"
"Yes, Miss Harker."
Sherry gave her a hug and skipped off to her mother's car. Alice inhaled the scent of the orchids and started to walk home.
…
Strolling along the coastal path that ran alongside the seaside town, Alice enjoyed smelling, as she did every day, the salty smell of the Pacific. A flock of seagulls scattered as she turned the bend, her black leather trench coat catching the breeze behind her. She tucked her brown shoulder-length hair behind her ears and walked on. She could hear the waves creeping up the rocks again, and she stopped to listen to them, gazing out over the wide open sea. The distant horizon reminded her of another life she had once lived. But those days were over. She now had to accept the reality of her life, she thought as she turned away from the view and continued walking.
This world she was living in now wasn't so nice. With the natural disasters, human conflicts, and the disintegrating environment, life had become a harsh affair. Spring and summer were growing scarce, as the years got colder and colder. Many people had lost their sense of adventure. But still Alice was a happy woman. Pursuing a career working alongside children had always been her dream, and she was doing a fine job of it.
She felt a drop of rain. Looking at the clouds across the sea, she started to hurry back.
…
"Haven't had this bad of a storm for a while. Ain't that the truth, Carl?" the security guard said, stepping back against the wall of the Border Patrol Station.
"Sure thing, Bob." Carl replied, his eyes scanning the crossing point for any oncoming vehicles. He sipped his hot coffee, and looked up into the dark sky, the rain showering down. "You think anybody will be coming out here in this weather?"
Bob shrugged. "Ain't got a clue. I don't think I'd be able to stand that crap outside."
The two guards chuckled. Bob stopped. There was a disturbing clattering noise outside. Peering out of the window, he caught sight of a figure on the wet road, heading in their direction.
"Who the…? Stay here, Carl." Bob put on his rain coat and stepped outside of the cabin to meet the visitor. "Hey! Hey, you!"
A womanly figure in black stepped forward. She was dressed in tattered clothes and held a long walking stick which she used to guide herself along the road. Her hair bore an unnatural purple color, tied round in a straight ponytail. Her eyes were concealed within a black blindfold.
"Excuse me, Miss. Are you all right?" Bob ventured, anxiously.
She didn't answer, just kept tapping her stick, walking closer and closer.
"Are you lost? Do you need some help?"
The woman suddenly tripped and fell, dropping her stick. Something else slipped out from her cape and fell with a thump on the ground.
"Oh, let me help you there!" Bob said, kneeling down to her.
He picked up her walking stick and the other object, something sheathed in leather, something heavy. On further inspection, he saw that he was holding a katana sword. The blind woman stood still, waiting for the guard's reaction.
"Jesus." Bob turned to face her. "Just what in Sam Hill are you doing with thi-"
But he was cut off . A lightning quick kick to his knee caught him by surprise, dislocating the bone. He dropped the katana, and the woman caught it mid-air. Flicking the weapon out of the sheath, she caught it in her right hand and slashed it down across his chest, killing him instantly. She flicked the blood off and slid the blade back into the sheath.
"FREEZE!" Carl screamed, his pistol on her. The woman turned her head slowly and stared straight at him. "Drop your weapon and put your hands up so that I can see them!" he stuttered, trembling.
The woman raised her hand. There was a blinding light, and the next thing Carl felt was his body shaking violently, a great surge of pain jolting through his every limb. He collapsed twitching, and as he lay dying, the woman stood over him, her boot pressed down hard on his neck.
"Where's Wisp?"
Were the last words he ever heard.
…
"The years have a way of slipping by…of changing the world about us. And every boy, sooner or later, must put away his toys and become a man."
Peter Parker, Spider-Man No More
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